Upgrading Computer Hardware
Diala:
I am beginning to seriously consider upgrading my computer so that Sims 2 would run better. With the current hardware I have now, the game is a bit slow, takes a while to load, and I don't have those special cutscenes everyone talks about. I am honestly feeling like I am missing out on something. I also heard that Nightlife has raised the requirements. I am already at the bare minimum at this point. I don't want to spend about $30-40 on the EP, and then find out that I can't use it with the computer I have!
For starters, here are my computer stats, at least as far as being important to running Sims 2 is concerned:
Processor: 2.59 GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU
RAM: 256 MB (I know I need to update this)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MMX 440 (Gateway) (I know I need to update this too)
What is the best way to upgrade my computer? I don't have a lot of money, so cheap yet effective hardware would be wonderful. I don't play any other computer games (at least, none as extensive as Sims 2 anyway).
Motoki:
Your CPU is fine but that RAM is really low and your video card is also pretty moldy oldy. If you can afford it, I'd say upgrade them both. Another 256 stick of RAM will bring you to 512 which is at least passable. Also, pretty much any video card released in the last year or so should be better than that one. There are some that are not quite top of the line, but decent, that can be had for under $100.
Ancient Sim:
Well, your RAM certainly needs updating (I have 512), but your processor is much better than mine. I have an Athlon 2000+, which is about 1800 mhz, and I have no problems really. I can have 30+ Sims on a lot (I usually invite around 15-25 to grad parties, depending on how many friends the Sim has, plus all the dormies and other visitors) and not experience any significant slow-down. More than 25 and the party sometimes develops an error and has to be reset, which means it loses its party status. Before Uni, I could only play one lot at a time without restarting (and community lots hardly ever loaded) but now I can play for hours & hours and go from lot to lot no probs, even with several parties in-between. I don't get cinematics though, because my graphics card is unsupported, but I have everything except shadows on high-setting (the game puts it on low by default) and it doesn't slow anything down. The only reason shadows are on medium and not high is because they're weird-looking on high.
I meant to get a new graphics card for NL but haven't got around to it. I will see how the game is when it's installed and get one if I need to. Trouble is, my son has now gone to a real Uni so won't be here to put it in for me. My eyesight is so bad (because I am in the MIDDLE-AGE lifespan) I doubt I would even see the slot and I don't fancy walking around with a black face, sooty clothes and my hair all stuck-up everywhere.
aussieone:
Quote from: Diala on 2005 September 14, 03:19:00
I am beginning to seriously consider upgrading my computer so that Sims 2 would run better. With the current hardware I have now, the game is a bit slow, takes a while to load, and I don't have those special cutscenes everyone talks about. I am honestly feeling like I am missing out on something. I also heard that Nightlife has raised the requirements. I am already at the bare minimum at this point. I don't want to spend about $30-40 on the EP, and then find out that I can't use it with the computer I have!
For starters, here are my computer stats, at least as far as being important to running Sims 2 is concerned:
Processor: 2.59 GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU
RAM: 256 MB (I know I need to update this)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MMX 440 (Gateway) (I know I need to update this too)
What is the best way to upgrade my computer? I don't have a lot of money, so cheap yet effective hardware would be wonderful. I don't play any other computer games (at least, none as extensive as Sims 2 anyway).
Diala,
My computer specs were exactly the same as yours before I upgraded.
Now I have 1 gig RAM
Nvidia GeForce 5800 Graphics card.
To buy the lot cost me $350.00 AU and that was for the PC guy to install them for me as well. (I'm not good with all of that technical Stuff!) I realised that in order to play Nightlife, I needed a reasonable upgrading, so hopefully this'll do it for me!
So I'm thinking if you can do the installation yourself and you live aywhere else in the world (except maybe New Zealand! LOL) then it shouldn't cost you any where near what I paid :)
aussieone:
Quote from: Ancient Sim on 2005 September 14, 03:35:16
My eyesight is so bad (because I am in the MIDDLE-AGE lifespan) I doubt I would even see the slot and I don't fancy walking around with a black face, sooty clothes and my hair all stuck-up everywhere.
:) lol
Amen to that Ancient Sim
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page